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Visas and passports

Here's what you need to know about Ireland’s visa and passport requirements.

Ireland’s visa and passport requirements vary for different nationalities so check with your local embassy or consulate before you travel

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Most people need a valid passport to enter the Republic or Northern Ireland but there are some exceptions:

• If you're a UK citizen, you can also use official photo identification.
• If you're an EU citizen, you can use your national identity card to travel throughout the island of Ireland (including Northern Ireland), as long as you are arriving and exiting the island via an airport or ferry port in the Republic of Ireland. If you’re travelling direct to Northern Ireland from the EU or travelling on to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, you’ll need a passport. 

Air and sea carriers require some form of photo identification (usually either a passport or driving licence), so ALWAYS check what form of ID is required with your individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.

While e-passports are commonly used now, you don't need one to enter Ireland.

Killaloe, County Clare

Stand-up paddle boarding with Soulkite

Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on your citizenship.

Currently, if you’re a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state (27 countries of the European Union, together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and many other countries including Great Britain, the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, you don’t need a visa to visit the Republic or Northern Ireland. South African visitors can visit the Republic of Ireland without a visa, but need a UK visa in order to enter Northern Ireland. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a full list of countries whose citizens do NOT need a visa to visit Ireland .

If your country is not on this list, contact your local Irish embassy/consulate before you travel to find out your visa requirements. If you’re planning on travelling to Northern Ireland, contact your local British embassy/high commission or consular office.

The UK is launching an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme – an ETA is a digital permission to travel to the UK, including Northern Ireland, and also to travel to Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland. The roll-out of the ETA scheme will not happen until the end of 2024 (with the exception of some Middle Eastern countries). For more information, please visit the UK Government website.

Short-Stay Visa Waiver Scheme

This scheme allows visitors from certain countries who have a valid UK visit visa to also visit Ireland without the need for an Irish visa. The scheme is valid until October 31st, 2026 and you can get a list of participating countries from the Irish Immigration Service.

Work and Student Visas

Wondering about a working holiday in the Republic of Ireland? You can talk to your local Irish embassy or consulate about a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA). And if you’re interested in studying in Ireland, you can find out more from INIS. If you want to work or study in Northern Ireland, contact UK Visas and Immigrations.

Useful links

1. Department of Foreign Affairs

The Irish government website gives information on visas and passports, and contact details for embassies.

2. Citizens Information Board

Ireland's statutory body is a great source of information about what you need to travel to Ireland.

NI Direct: Visas

This is where you will find information and advice on visa requirements for Northern Ireland.

• Our Ministers

Please be advised that this page has moved and this content is no longer being updated. Up-to-date information is now available at Ireland.ie/dfa/visas-for-ireland .

Visas for Ireland

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning of the existence of a fraudulent telephone phishing visa scam purporting to come from this Department seeking personal information and requesting significant cash amounts to process visas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not seek funds additional to the typical fee when processing visas. You will find advice on phishing scams on the website of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission .  If you are a victim of such a crime report it to your local Garda Station and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service . January 2018

If you want to enter Ireland, you may need a visa. Find out more about getting a visa to come to Ireland .

In Ireland, the  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service  (INIS) is primarily responsible for dealing with immigration and visa matters.

Requirements

Application, visa and documentation.

Whether you need a visa to enter Ireland depends on what country you're from, see Schedule 1.

S.I. No 473 of 2014  groups countries into five different categories (schedules).

Note : A Schengen visa or UK visa is not valid for travel to Ireland. For exceptions to this, please see Schedules 2 and 3 below.

Remember…

If you're a citizen of a non-EEA country, whether you need a visa or not, you will be subject to immigration control when you enter Ireland.

Schedule 1 - Check if you need an Irish visa

Find out what you need to enter Ireland based on your nationality on the INIS website .

Convention travel documents

If you hold Convention travel documents issued by certain EEA state, please refer to Section 3. (b) (i) of  S.I. No 473 of 2014  (short-stay visits only) or visit the INIS website for more information.

Schedule 2 - Visa waiver programme

Check if you meet Visa Waiver Programme requirements on the INIS website , if so you may  be able to travel on to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa.

If not, you'll need to apply for an entry visa before you travel to Ireland.

Schedule 3 - British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS)

Check if you are eligible for this Scheme on the INIS website .

Schedule 4 - Transit Visas

Check if you will need to apply for a transit visa on the INIS website .

Submitting your application

Please ensure you have completed the correct application form and supplied all the required documentation. A full list of the different application forms and the necessary documents can be found on the INIS website .

The processing times for visa applications vary depending on the visa type and the Office to which the application is lodged. Visa applications are considered in as speedy a manner as possible but timeframes for decision can be dependent on a number of factors including, the number of applications received and the resources available to process them at any one time.

While the vast majority of applications are dealt with within a much shorter timeframe it is recommended that applicants allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa. Just in case further enquiries have to be made, we advise you to apply for your visa 8 weeks before the date you plan to travel.

NOTE: Applicants planning on a long term or permanent stay in Ireland, such as, in the case of joint family visa applications, should be aware that they will require more in-depth consideration than short-stay visa applications and it is recommended applicants make their applications 12 weeks prior to their proposed dates of travel.

You need to:

1. Complete the online application form  ( Guidance is available in several languages ) 2. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee  3. The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to one of the following:

• Your appropriate Irish Embassy or Consulate
• The dedicated Visa Offices in Abu Dhabi, Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow and New Delhi & Ankara
• Direct to INIS, Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland

If you submit false or misleading information in support of your application, it will result in the refusal of your visa application and may have a negative impact on any future applications made.

How long does it take?

If you’re applying for a business visa and it’s being processed in an Irish Embassy or Consulate, you should have a decision within 10 working days, provided all your documentation is in order.

Some categories of visa (eg Study, Visit or Join Family visas) can take longer, depending on the time of the year.

Tracking your application

Track your application by contacting the Embassy or Consulate to which it was submitted, quoting the reference number from your application.

If you sent your application to Dublin, you should contact INIS directly .

Notification

If you applied at an Embassy or Consulate, they will contact you once a decision has been made.

If you applied directly to INIS in Dublin, or if your application was referred to INIS for a decision, you can check the INIS Visa Decision Weekly Listing using your reference number.

Need more information?

Visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) website to find out what you need to know before you apply for a visa

If you’re in Ireland and want to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries, contact the INIS Visa Section

What sort of Visa do I need?

A comprehensive list of the different visa types that are available, and the documentation required in respect of each, is available from the  INIS website .

For ease of reference, separate links for some of the most common visa types are set out below.

Travelling to Ireland as a tourist

If you are a Visa-required national and you would like to visit Ireland for a short period (90 days or less) you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Visit/Holiday Visa applications from  INIS .

For further information on tourism in Ireland please visit the website of  Tourism Ireland .

Travelling to Ireland as a Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens seeking to apply under Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive)

Please refer to  INIS  for details and comprehensive information regarding these types of applications.

Travelling to Ireland on business

Business meeting.

If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a business meeting you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Business Visa applications on  INIS .

If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a conference, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Conference Visa applications on  INIS .

Starting a Business in Ireland

If you are a Visa-required national and you wish to set up a business in Ireland, you will require Business Permission from the Department of Justice and Equality, prior to applying for your visa. Find more information on the  INIS website .

Studying in Ireland

If you require an entry visa for Ireland and would like to study here, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for Study Visa applications on  INIS .

For further information on studying in Ireland:

• Immigration Regime for Full Time Non-EEA Students
• Irish Council for International Students
• Immigration and Visas - A guide for international students

Standard visa fees

Standard non-refundable visa application processing fees are:

Other charges

You may also have to pay communications charges.

More information

Contact your local Embassy or Consulate for more details on fees and payment methods.

No fee required

Some applicants don’t have to pay a fee for their visa. These include visa-required spouses and certain family members of EEA citizens (including Irish nationals). You must provide proof of the relationship with the application.

In addition, applicants from the countries listed on this page don’t have to pay a fee.

You may be charged an administration or communications fee if you’re apply from some of these countries. Other charges

My application has been refused.

If your application has been refused and you still want to travel to Ireland, you can:

• Appeal the decision or
• Make a new application

If you decide to make a new application, your previous application history may be taken into account.

Appealing the decision

You'll be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal. You can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice. You will find further information on how to make an appeal on INIS .

Immigration control

A visa is a form of pre-entry clearance which allows for travel to Ireland. It does not guarantee permission to enter Ireland. Permission to enter Ireland is granted by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

All non-EEA citizens, whether they need a visa or not, will be subject to ordinary immigration controls at the port of entry.

Additional documents

As well as your visa, an Immigration Officer may ask to see additional information such as:

• Accommodation bookings
• Return flights
• Contacts in Ireland

Length of stay

The Immigration Officer at the port of entry will decide your length of stay by stamping your passport; which will reflect the purpose of your journey and the amount of time you are allowed to stay in the State.

The validity period shown on your visa indicates the dates between which you must travel to Ireland. These dates are NOT the dates between which you’re permitted to remain in Ireland.

Staying over three months

If you need a visa to enter Ireland and you want to stay longer than 90 days, apply for a 'D' type visa before you travel. Permission to enter on the basis of a 'C' type visa will not give you permission to remain beyond a 90 day period.

Registration

If you’re a non-EEA national and you want to stay longer than three months in Ireland, you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau and apply for permission to remain in Ireland.

Conditions of your visa

Under Irish law, you’re not allowed to engage in any activity or to remain in Ireland for any purpose other than that for which your visa or permission to remain was granted.

Overstaying your visa

If you stay in Ireland longer than your permission to remain permits, you could be liable for prosecution and/or deportation.

Change of activity

If you want to undertake any activity in Ireland other than that for which your visa was granted you must leave the county and apply for a new visa. You can’t return to Ireland while you’re waiting for a decision on your new application.

Find out what you need to enter Ireland based on your nationality on the  INIS website .

If you hold Convention travel documents issued by certain EEA state, please refer to Section 3. (b) (i) of  S.I. No 473 of 2014  (short-stay visits only) or visit the  INIS website  for more information.

Check if you meet Visa Waiver Programme requirements on the  INIS website , if so you  may  be able to travel on to Ireland from the UK without the need to obtain a separate Irish visa.

Check if you are eligible for this Scheme on the  INIS website .

Check if you will need to apply for a transit visa on the  INIS website .

Please ensure you have completed the correct application form and supplied all the required documentation. A full list of the different application forms and the necessary documents can be found on the  INIS website .

1. Complete the  online application form  ( Guidance is available in several languages ) 2. Gather your supporting documentation, passport photograph and fee  3. The online application system will automatically request you to submit your documentation to one of the following:

If you sent your application to Dublin, you should  contact INIS directly .

If you applied directly to INIS in Dublin, or if your application was referred to INIS for a decision, you can check the INIS  Visa Decision Weekly Listing  using your reference number.

Visit the  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS)  website to find out what you need to know before you apply for a visa

If you’re in Ireland and want to apply for a re-entry visa or have other queries,  contact the INIS Visa Section

Further information on visa fees and visa fee exemptions is available on the INIS website .

You may be charged an administration or communications fee if you’re apply from some of these countries.

You'll be sent a letter outlining the reasons for refusal. You can appeal this decision within two months of receiving the refusal notice. You will find further information on how to make an appeal on  INIS .

If you’re a non-EEA national and you want to stay longer than three months in Ireland, you must  register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau  and apply for permission to remain in Ireland.

Apply for a visa

Find out more about visas for Ireland from the Irish Nationalisation and Immigration Service .

Related Links

Irish Embassies and Consulates

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Visas for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel abroad, you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.

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Visas for tourists visiting Ireland

Who needs a short-stay visa for ireland, how to apply for a short-stay visa, documents to send for a short-stay visa, decisions and appeals, can i stay longer than 3 months, further information.

If you plan to visit Ireland, you should check if you need a visa .

This page has information on how to apply for a short-stay visa. This is also called a ‘C’ visa and is usually valid for up to 90 days from the issue date of the visa. You apply for a C visa if you plan to come to Ireland:

• For tourism
• To visit family or friends
• To get married
• For medical treatment
• For short-term study

If you are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, Switzerland or UK and you do not need a visa to come to Ireland, you still need to have documents with you to show the reason for your visit. You must present yourself at immigration when you enter Ireland.

Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Ireland .

You apply for a visa online. You complete a separate application for each person travelling, including children. After you have submitted the visa form, you have 30 days to send the supporting documents. It’s a good idea to prepare your documents before completing the form.

You pay a fee of €60 for each application. A multiple entry visa costs €100.

When you have submitted the form, you will get a summary of your application. This includes:

• Your visa application transaction number
• Your application summary sheet
• Details of the application office where you should send your documents

You send the signed summary sheet with your documents.

You must send documents in support of your application. This section has information on the main documents you need to send. You can get more information about documentation on the Irish Immigration Delivery website.

You must send original documents (not photocopies). If your documents are not in English, you must send a certified translation and the original document.

Birth, marriage and death certificates will be returned to you. If you want other pages returned to you, you should include a note with your application that says this. Send a photocopy (in addition to the original) of the page you want returned to you.

If your visa is approved, you must get travel insurance before you travel to Ireland.

Letter of application

You must write a letter that explains why you want to come to Ireland. You should give the details of your trip, including the dates you plan to be here, where you will stay and how you will pay for things while you are here.

You must say in your letter that you will:

• Obey the conditions of your visa in full
• Leave Ireland before your visa expires
• Not rely on public services or become a burden on the State

If you are visiting friends or family your letter should also have:

• Their names and addresses
• The names and addresses of any of your family who live in Ireland or another country in the EEA or Switzerland, even if you do not plan to visit them

Letter of invitation

If you are visiting someone in Ireland, you should send a letter of invitation written by them. The letter should have information about how they know you, the dates you are visiting them and why they are inviting you to Ireland.

They should include a colour copy of their passport or national identity card. If they are from outside the EEA, Switzerland and UK, they must include a copy of their Irish Resident Permit and the current immigration stamp in their passport.

The letter must also say that they understand you must:

Information about where you will stay

You must include the details of where you will stay. You should include printouts of your booking confirmations. If you are staying with friends, family or colleagues, see ‘letter of invitation’ above.

You must send your current passport. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Ireland. You must also send a photocopy of each page of all of your previous passports.

Proof of finances

You must show that you have the money you need for your trip. If someone else is paying for your visit (for example a family member), you should send documents to show that they can afford to pay for you.

You don’t need to have a particular or set amount of money to qualify for a short-stay visa.

Passport photos

Include 2 passport photos. You must sign your name and put your visa application transaction number on the back of each photo.

Show that you must return home

You must show that you have strong ties to your home country and that you must return home. This could be family responsibilities, work, education or something else. You should send proof of these responsibilities. For example, if you are working you should send a letter from your employer and recent payslips.

You can read more details of the documents you need on the Immigration Service Delivery website.

If you sent your application to Dublin, you can check visa decisions and waiting times . If you sent your application somewhere else, you can contact the embassy or consulate you sent your documents to for updates on your application. Applications take around 8 weeks, but may take longer.

If your visa application is successful, the visa office will post your passport back to you with the visa attached. The visa will be valid for a particular period. Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter Ireland .

You will get a letter that says why your visa application was refused. You can appeal this decision within 2 months.

You are expected to leave the State on or before the date which has been stamped on your passport by the Immigration Officer when you entered.

You can only extend your visa if there is an unexpected change in your circumstances since you entered Ireland.

You cannot get an extension if:

• There is no change in circumstances from the time you entered Ireland
• There is no change in circumstances from the time you were granted a travel visa
• You are in Ireland to seek medical attention
• You are seeking a permission to marry in Ireland
• You are in Ireland to provide childcare facilities
• You wish to live in Ireland full time

Some people do not have to pay the visa fee .

A visa costs:

Single-journey visa : €60

Multiple-journey visa : €100

If you require a visa in order to visit Ireland, your application must be made online .

Irish embassies and consulates

Visa Office

Immigration Service Delivery 13-14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 D02 XK70 Ireland

Related documents

• Visas for people visiting Ireland on business Certain people who wish to travel to Ireland for business purposes require visas. Find out more. 1954.4292
• Student visas to study in Ireland People from certain countries who wish to study in Ireland require visas. Find out more. 1065.616
• Returning to Ireland to care for a family member This page includes information on returning to Ireland to care for a family member. 981.42474

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre .

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U.S. Embassy Dublin, Ireland - DBL

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy.

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You need to register your appointment online. Registering your appointment provides us with the information we need to return your passport to you after your interview. Registration is free. Click the “Register” link below to register.

If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you will be able to do so after.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in the Ireland

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Ireland. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” link below for a list of designated doctors’ offices in Ireland. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.  

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.  

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read these interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.  

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with the clinic listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved clinic:

Mater Private Network Newenham House Northern Cross Malahide Rd. Dublin 17 D17 AY61

Mater Private Network Cherrywood Business Park Building 11  Loughlinstown Co. Dublin D18 DH50 Tel 01 885 8850 Email: [email protected] Website:  https://www.materprivate.ie/our-services/health-screenings/visa-medicals

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

• Your visa interview letter
• Your passport
• Two (2) recently taken passport-sized color photographs
• Copies of your immunization records
• DS-260 Confirmation page or AA barcode number. (Barcode numbers start with AA followed by 8 digits.)

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available via  cdc.gov.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available via  cdc.gov . You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements via  travel.state.gov .

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the panel physican will forward your medial to the Embassy Electronically. Please allow up to 10 business days for this process. In some cases, the doctor will provide you with exam results in a sealed envelope.  IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW,  DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE. Instead, bring it to your visa interview.

Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB). However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).

Unexpired passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).

Two (2) color U.S. passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Please review our online photo requirements .

Registration confirmation page showing you selected an address for visa delivery at ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ie/iv .

Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv .

Your original birth certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.

Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results) .

Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying) .

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are married: Your origina l marriage certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

• You are older than 16 years;
• You obtained a police certificate more than one year ago; and
• You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

Your police certificate must contain the following information:

• Your name exactly as shown on your birth certificate.
• Any middle names.
• Any aliases you have ever used.
• Maiden and Married name (if applicable).
• Any spelling variations of your name that you have used.

For employment-based visa applications: Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Dublin

If you need to send us any documents, please DO NOT mail them to us directly. Instead, visit ais.usvisa-info.com and ask for information on courier services. Please do not send any original documents to us; only send photocopies via courier or mail. You may bring original documents (plus a photocopy for the consulate’s files) to your visa interview.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please go to ais.usvisa-info.com to select a new appointment date. There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa became available within the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule your interview.

Please note: You need to register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Arriving at the embassy and security screening

The U.S. Embassy does not have car parking spaces available for visitors. If you travel by car, disc parking is available close to the embassy on Elgin Road, Clyde Road, Raglan Road or Herbert Park.

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. DO NOT BRING ELECTRONICS TO YOUR U.S. EMBASSY APPOINTMENT.  Please note that you cannot enter the Embassy property with any electronics.  This includes laptops, tablets, memory cards, flash drives, or other peripherals.  If you have any of these items in your possession, you will be asked to store them away from the Embassy property or to return on another day.  The Embassy has small lockers which can accommodate a cell phone.  No other electronics may be placed in these lockers.

Accompanying persons

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview. The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English well enough to participate in an interview. If you need an interpreter, please email their details to [email protected] at least 5 days before your scheduled interview. You should include a copy of their passport bio-page with your request.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child. If you need assistance, please email the details of the individual who will accompany you to [email protected] at least 5 days before your scheduled interview. You should include a copy of their passport bio-page with your request.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars. We accept euro cash and credit cards only. Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found via  travel.state.gov .

Do not make travel plans outside of Ireland

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you later via courier services only. If you have to travel within Ireland while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

After Your Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa. Immigrant visa processing takes at least 15 business days from receipt of all outstanding items for visa processing and passport return. In person collection of documents is not permitted and all passports are returned to the courier.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested , the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a passport page. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. IV packets are now transmitted electronically to Customs and Border Protection and are accessible at the U.S. Port of Entry. Any immigrant traveler carrying a visa with a special annotation (IV DOCS IN CCD) is not required to hand-carry an IV packet.  You can find additional information on electronic processing at https://nvc.state.gov/ceac . If your visa has "IV DOCS IN CCD" annotated on it, you do not require a packet. 

If your visa is not annotated with “IV DOCS IN CCD” you will receive a  sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are: children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six months from the date of the medical examination. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Children who turn 21 years old after visa issuance must enter the United States before they turn 21 years old; otherwise they will lose their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your DS-260 visa application form. This very important document proves you have permission to reside in the United States. Do not travel outside of the United States until you receive your Permanent Resident Card. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. Additionally, if your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with the child’s other parent; we recommend that you bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will likely need these papers (translated into English) in the United States for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website .
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available via  travel.state.gov ).
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements via  travel.state.gov .

Last Updated: 2/16/2023

Contact Information

42 Elgin Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4

Other links

Diversity visa instructions After your interview Frequently asked questions Country Document Finder

Interview Preparation Video

External Link

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US citizens will need travel authorization for Europe in 2024 - here's what to know

Northern Irish citizens are required to hold an ETIAS travel authorization because they are UK nationals

• 17:46, 25 JUL 2023
• Updated 16:18, 15 AUG 2023

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US citizens looking to travel to Northern Ireland or any country in Europe should be aware of a new requirement that will come into effect for US passport holders in 2024.

Anyone who previously journeyed to Europe without a visa will now need to apply for authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, before visiting.

At the moment, American travelers have visa-free access to 184 global destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index, but the European Union is due to add its new documentation requirements for US visitors.

Read more: European travel pass FAQ: who should apply, cost, wait times, and more

Read more: Full list of European countries US passport holders will need a travel pass to visit from 2024

The application form costs seven euros or $7.79 US dollars and is similar to an ESTA for those going to America . It will be available on the official ETIAS website as well as a mobile application. All communication is done by email.

Once citizens are approved, the authorization allows visitors to stay in European countries that require ETIAS for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Travelers must be in possession of a valid ETIAS throughout their whole stay.

Most applications should be processed within minutes, according to ETIAS, but if it takes longer, decisions will be sent within four days or up to 14 days if the applicant is asked to provide additional documentation.

Holidaymakers and business trippers alike are encouraged to apply for an ETIAS authorization "well in advance" of their planned journey.

Confirmation of application submission will be sent by email with a unique number that is needed for future reference.

Travelers who are granted ETIAS travel authorization should double check their name, passport number, and other personal information are correct - any mistake could stop them from crossing the border.

If an application is rejected, the email will include the reasons for this, alongside information on how to appeal.

ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, according to the EU, or until the travel document people used in their application expires, whichever comes first.

The ETIAS authorization is linked to a person's travel document - such as a US passport - and both documents will be needed to board a flight, bus, or ship to enter any of the European countries that require ETIAS.

Similar to international border requirements with a passport, the ETIAS authorization doesn't guarantee an automatic right of entry.

"Border guards will verify that you meet the entry conditions" and anyone who does not meet the conditions "will be refused entry," according to the EU.

It comes after the was recently ranked fourth best in the world, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index, which measures how many nationalities a country allows to pass through its borders without a visa.

Irish passport holders can access a total of 188 countries out of 227 without a visa, the Index said. The US, meanwhile, dropped two places on the list to the eighth spot, having not held the number one slot since 2014.

US citizens can access 189 countries without a visa.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .

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Home » Ireland might put a stop to visa-free travel for South Africans

Ireland might put a stop to visa-free travel for South Africans

Ireland is looking at ending visa-free travel from South Africa due to the influx of international protection applicants and asylum seekers.

The government of Ireland wants to enhance immigration control amid challenges with accommodating asylum seekers, and is looking at scrapping visa-free travel for South Africans.

Discussions among ministers are underway regarding the potential changes to their visa policies, writes  SchengenVisaInfo .

According to the  Irish Times , concerns have been raised over nationals from Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo using South African passports to enter Ireland.

VISA-FREE MOVEMENT ON SA PASSPORTS

Data released by the Irish Department of Justice revealed that 198 people arriving in Ireland on South African passports are currently undergoing processing.

This number constitutes over three percent of the total applicants so far in 2024, it said.

According to Irish politician Simon Harris, the government intends to implement measures that will manage the flow of asylum applicants crossing into Ireland via Northern Ireland.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee further noted that over 80% of international protection applicants entered the country through Northern Ireland.

As such, she emphasised the importance of increased cooperation between Ireland’s Garda and Northern Ireland’s Police Service.

Despite existing measures at airports, additional restrictions to effectively address the situation were needed, she added.

HOUSING CHALLENGES

More than 5 000 individuals have already applied for asylum in Ireland this year. The Irish government is anticipating a further surge in arrivals in the coming months.

Irish government is under pressure to accommodate around 1 600 male asylum seekers, and is reaching out to church dioceses for alternate, temporary shelter options.

This mirrors past collaborations with the church, such as providing refuge to individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Authorities are exploring alternative solutions while awaiting an official decision from the government on tightening rules to manage asylum applications.

Currently, an Irish visa is  not required by a citizen of South Africa  to enter into Ireland, but it is needed to work, study and naturalise in the country.

SOUTH AFRICANS REPATRIATING

Meanwhile, many South African expats are returning home to snap up properties due to the favourable exchange rate.

Now equipped with better buying power to invest in property, these South Africans perceive their home country as offering better value for long-term financial stability.

A portion of these buyers are still employed by international companies. The flexibility of remote work has enabled them to settle back in South Africa, or become ‘swallows.’

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